1
as in fear
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
Dorothy's anxiety about her brother's operation kept her awake all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dread
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
the newly discovered virus is creating considerable anxiety in the public at large
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anxiety
After a month or so in the doldrums as investors rode a wave of anxiety about the AI buildout, chip stocks have hit a real purple patch again in April.
—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Over the top of these more ragged edges, Llobet takes a pointillistic approach to lyric writing, favoring half-thoughts and dreamy images that coalesce into a picture of unsettled anxiety.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
This stabbing follows a string of attacks targeting synagogues and other communal bui ldings that have left London’s Jewish community in a heightened state of anxiety.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
And at each time, there has been this anxiety, but at each time, the tools change.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Over the top of these more ragged edges, Llobet takes a pointillistic approach to lyric writing, favoring half-thoughts and dreamy images that coalesce into a picture of unsettled anxiety.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
This stabbing follows a string of attacks targeting synagogues and other communal bui ldings that have left London’s Jewish community in a heightened state of anxiety.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
And at each time, there has been this anxiety, but at each time, the tools change.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
-
And though Fanny released their albums in a post-Stonewall environment, the band’s gay members felt pressured to remain in the closet for fear of losing their record deal or the support of their fans.—
Marissa Lorusso,
Pitchfork,
3 May 2026
-
Lane harrowingly captures the paralyzing fear of being ordinary, while Metcalf will overwhelm you with the sheer emotion of her performance as Willy’s fiercely loyal wife, Linda.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Across the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre, and Los Feliz 3, more than 45 films will explore the universal themes of human suffering and existential dread in the latest edition of the event in its flagship city.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Fear and dread stalked employees working at the CSCU central office.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
While there have been no reports of illness, authorities urge people to contact a health care provider for any concerns.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the HHS, which oversees the FDA, said the studies were pulled over concerns about their conclusions.—
Padmanabhan Ananthan,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Lord Cornwallis encountered these imperial priorities in 1778, when he was briefly ordered to leave America along with four thousand troops during a panic that the French might invade Jamaica.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Everyone experiences moments of existential despair, when one bad day or cataclysmic event sends you into a headspace that’s some combination of panic and self-reflection.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
At the macro scale of society, loss of control seems like a legitimate reason for worry.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Their worry is that investors are treating this economic moment — physical supply disruptions, geopolitical fracturing, tariff whiplash — like the liquidity crises of the past, which were solvable with government cash.—
Rachel Keidan,
semafor.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Meloni, weakened by a recent referendum defeat and facing public unease over the conflict, has insisted that any use of Italian bases for offensive operations would require parliamentary backing.—
Giada Zampano,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Brent was trading above $100 a barrel on Friday, while shipping and insurance markets continue signaling deep unease despite periodic ceasefire headlines.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Eduardo Rodrigues Cavalcante, a receptionist at a hotel adjacent to the school, described scenes of terror, as some students tried to jump over a wall separating the school from the hotel.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Kellison plays Bennett, a high-energy terror.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
In set-pieces involving the Pooka, dark lighting and strong use of shadow results in some scenes that can give younger viewers a genuine fright.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
-
The 1390 Super Duke RR is leaner and better appointed for handling than the regular Super Duke R, and is sure to give your insurer a proper fright.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
